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Siemens and Radio Solutions, Inc. (RSI) announce a strategic alliance to offer reliable and critical communications for first responders. The alliance teams Emergency Responder Communications Enhancement Systems (ERCES) from RSI, a Norwell, Mass.-based manufacturer of UL 2524-listed Bi-Directional Amplifiers (BDA) with Siemens’ life safety industry expertise and national footprint.
This combined effort will further bolster Siemens’ continued efforts to deliver increased safety by minimizing responder time and ensuring building occupants are protected at the highest level.
Modern energy-efficient construction materials, particularly those used in LEED-certified buildings, such as Low-E glass and metal-clad insulation dramatically reduce the ability for radio frequency transmissions to reach first responders inside buildings. Environmental factors such as proximity to the public safety radio repeater site or nearby buildings and other structures also affect how radio communications penetrate buildings.
The RSI solution boosts the signal level of the desired frequencies for emergency communication (uplink and downlink) and distributes that boosted signal throughout the building, using antennas, abling and other components that transmit to and receive communications from first responder radios. This allows first responders to communicate over their radios during an emergency without coverage gaps.
UL 2524-listed for In-building 2-Way Emergency Radio Communication Enhancement System, RSI’s ERCES is also independent third party verified and conforms with IFC (International Fire Code), NFPA 72 (National Fire Alarm Signaling Code), and NFPA 1221 (Standard for the Installation, Maintenance, and Use of Emergency Services Communications Systems).
